Why it was an honour witnessing the unveiling of a blue plaque for Leeds literary icon Barbara Taylor Bradford

The amount of love and adoration for the Leeds-born literary star was astounding as friends, city dignitaries and acting royalty espoused about the phenomenal impact she had on the reading world at the event at Armley Library this afternoon (Thursday).

Described at different points as an “icon”, a “powerhouse” and a “true daughter of Leeds”, it was a humbling experience to consider how this worldwide star began her reading and writing journey within these walls at Armley Library.

Having worked as a journalist at the Yorkshire Evening Post from her teenage years in the late 1940s before moving to Fleet Street in London, Taylor Bradford released her first novel, A Woman of Substance, in 1979 to instant and significant success.

Selling over 30 million copies to date, the epic tale of a family retail empire catapulted Taylor Bradford to international fame and spawned six follow-ups. It was also turned into the most successful TV series ever broadcast on Channel 4 and is set to be broadcast again following a reimagining.

Taylor Bradford was also in cahoots with other Leeds literary giants of her time, having lived and interacted with Alan Bennett (a school friend), Peter O’Toole (with whom, we were told, she went on a date while at the YEP) and Keith Waterhouse.

The director of Leeds Civic Trust, Martin Hamilton, opened the event saying: “It seems to me that there must have been something in the water in Leeds in the 1940s.

“There was a common thread. The role and importance libraries has in nurturing their talents.”

The stories told from those present were eye-opening and laugh-inducing, with her friends of over 40 years following her move to America and trustees of the Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust H.E. Vicki Downey and W. Randall Jones being particularly moving.

They spoke of her meticulous nature, whether that be for her books or interior design and jewellery, and her brilliant company and wicked wit.

Ms Downey, who was in a bubble with Barbara in New York during the Covid pandemic, explained how the two started a reading club that she could never keep up with.

She said: “She was a voracious reader and would read anything, from children’s books to non-fiction. She didn’t judge anybody but just enjoyed what she was reading.”

Mr Jones said: “It’s an amazing thing to be in the place that nurtured her and fired up her imagination.

“To her friends and the people of Leeds, the trust is eternally grateful. There’s no place like home, as Dorothy said in The Wizard Of Oz, and this was her home.”

Award winning actress Brenda Blethyn OBE, who will star in the new series of A Woman Of Substance, spoke last before the plaque was unveiled and discussed the “resilience” that Barbara gave to her character, Emma Harte.

She said: “That was something that was drummed into us kids - that if you wanted anything at all in life you had to work hard for it - and for Emma to succeed in the way she did against all the odds is inspiring.

“It took such grit and determination. Barbara gave her a brain, but more importantly than that, she gave her the affront, the daring to use it.

“Playing Emma Harte was a real privilege but it also came with a lot of responsibility because you have to carry the story on to a new generation and safeguard that legacy.

“So as we unveil this plaque, we remember Barbara Taylor Bradford as a literary icon and I hope this library where her career started can inspire a new generation of writers to follow in her footsteps.

“Thank you everyone for coming here to celebrate the true woman of substance.”

There were copies of Taylor Bradford’s books on display - as well as tea and cake served in ornate china and pictures of her looking regally divine - and one imagines that her legacy and impact will only continue to grow as people become more aware of this Leeds lass done incredibly well.